The Class C boys basketball district tournament at Erie Mason is three months away, but if Blissfield and Whiteford get the chance to meet again, things could be much different than Tuesday's 74-52 Bobcat victory.

The Royals have four sophomores and five juniors among their 12 players, while the Bobcats have four returning senior starters. Experience won out Tuesday in a big way as the boys basketball season tipped off.

"It showed," Blissfield coach John Vandecaveye said of Whiteford's experience. "They are a veteran team, and we are inexperienced. They played like a team with four seniors starting."

A first-quarter injury to Felipe Cazares didn't help matters for the visitors, who fell behind early 11-4.

"He might have a concussion," Vandecaveye said.

The Royals made numerous comebacks, but kept falling behind as a result of Whiteford's steals and fast breaks. Two-time All-Stater Colin Lake scored 19 first-half points on his way to a game-high 27, as the Bobcats extended a 16-12 first-quarter lead to 36-25 at halftime.

The Royals were far from done, however. Two baskets by Nick Keinath early in the third quarter helped get Blissfield back into the game. Then, baskets by Luke Cassaubon, Connor Vandecaveye and Jacob Kopka cut Whiteford's 19-point lead down to 43-37 with 4:05 left in the third quarter.

That was a close as the Royals would get, though, as baskets by Bobcat reserves Mitchell Iott and John Reditt ended the rally.

Cassaubon led the Royals with 11 points. Tyler Watters gave Blissfield some big minutes off the bench, scoring nine points and pulling down eight rebounds. Connor Vandecaveye and Keinath each added seven points.

"We feel we can go nine or 10 deep," said coach Vandecaveye, who is entering his 24th season as Blissfield's head coach. "We'll improve. We did some good things tonight.

"I thought Watters and Keinath played well. But they are a good team. They are going to be tough to beat this season."

Blissfield shot 33 percent from the floor (17-for-52) and 64 percent (14-for-22) from the free-throw line.

Whiteford and Blissfield will compete in the Class C district tournament at Erie Mason with Britton Deerfield and Summerfield. The drawing will be next week.